Dragons encounter could well be a thriller

If recent meetings between the Dragons and Gloucester are anything to go by, then Sunday's LV= Cup semi final (kick off 1pm) could well go down to the wire.

The two sides have met three times in the past season and a half, twice in the 2009-10 Heineken Cup and once in this season's LV= Cup.

Gloucester currently edge these encounters by two wins to one but they've all been pretty close.

The last meeting at Kingsholm was the first Heineken Cup pool match back in October 2009.

Gloucester got off to a great start with a well worked try for Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera but tries from the Dragons James Arlidge and Joe Bearman took the visitors into a deserved lead.

Damp conditions had taken a toll on Gloucester's attempts to play an expansive game and the second half approach was more pragmatic and the boot of Nicky Robinson was crucial as he kicked a late penalty to clinch a 19-17 win.

There was a lot riding on the return fixture at Rodney Parade in January with Bryan Redpath's side needing a bonus point win to have any chance of staying in Europe.

Another early try from Qera got Gloucester underway but an injury to Olly Morgan and yellow card for Dave Attwood saw the home side regain the momentum and lead to half time.

However, Qera went on to complete a memorable hat trick in a fine second half display and a late penalty try secured a 32-23 win for the Cherry and Whites.

Onto this season's LV= Cup pool opener in Newport and the Dragons exacted some measure of revenge with an 18-12 win at Rodney Parade.

Conditions were far from perfect with a strong wind blowing towards the club house and rain teaming down and the Dragons coped better.

Gloucester's performance was littered with errors as the home team opened up a 13-0 lead.

A penalty try and an early second half effort from Lesley Vainokolo got Gloucester back into contention but late pressure couldn't produce a winning score.

So, stakes are high on Sunday with a place in the final up for grabs and, based on the above, it could be close!

Tickets are still available from the Gloucester Rugby ticket office on 0871 871 8781.

Jake Polledri admitted that Zebre had really tested Gloucester on Saturday with the quality of their offload game, but that Gloucester made adjustments in defence which led to them ultimately taking the win.

Speaking after the 33-26 European Rugby Challenge Cup win over Zebre on Saturday, Charlie Sharples admitted he was glad to be back after his injury absence and that the five points were welcome but very hard earned.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire after the win over Zebre, Head Coach Johan Ackermann highlighted where Gloucester came up short, but was delighted with how they came back to record a bonus point win.

Mark Atkinson is challenging his Gloucester teammates to put on a show on Parma, and keep up the momentum of a good few weeks, when the Cherry and Whites return to European Rugby Challenge Cup action on Saturday (KO 13:30 GMT)

Gloucester Rugby return to European Rugby Challenge Cup action away at Zebre this weekend. Speaking this week, Head Coach Johan Ackermann stressed that Gloucester will have to be at their best to prevail.

After the 39-15 Aviva Premiership victory over London Irish, Billy Burns told GRTV that Gloucester didn't perform as they would have liked in the first half, went on to score some good tries but still have plenty to work on.

Having spent the last two and half months with Gloucester Rugby on a short-term contract, Australian hooker James Hanson has now committed his long-term future to the club having signed a permanent contract.

The U18 Academy League starts this weekend with an away fixture to Saracens. With some impressive performances for their School/College teams the U18 Junior Academy players now get an opportunity to showcase their skills in the Cherry & White shirt.

After 20 minutes in Parma, it looked as though things were going horribly wrong for Gloucester against Zebre. However, a spirited fight-back saw Gloucester secure a 33-26 European Rugby Challenge Cup win on the road and keep knockout stage qualification hopes alive.